hahaha! too funny.

how do you know that your layer of Epic is as you say "thicker" than
my weekly coating of Hydro? also, when did "thicker" become equivalent to
'stronger?'

as you said, Epic and Hydro are 2 different products... you can not simply
compare these chemicals apples to apples. and your explanation of the
quick app and drying is not going to convince anyone that just because
you wipe off Hydro faster without initial cure time that it is weaker.
its like saying super glue is weaker than elmers's glue because it bonds
so quickly... lol

your 'scientific test method' does not address wat ive been talking about
at all. we are talking about comparing the durability of a regular application
of Hydro (weekly or bi weekly after each wash) vs a bi monthly or longer
app and durability of Epic.

huh, why i use different products on my daily drivers and your so called
'garage queens' are because i want to do it that way. and shine? if you
remember correctly, i don't like shiny. i like a deep glossy natural luster.
BofS does not shine nearly as much as Epic, and that's fine because BofS
has a deep natural lustor i am after as far as my MCS's color. my G can
use higher gloss as it's a silver color (i think i can use Epic too),
but i can easily get that level of shine using Spray On wax as LSP.

The reason i use wax on my 'garage queens' is because i can spend time
on it and it will stay clean and nice for a long time. i don't have to ruin it
after spending 13+hours detailing and having to have to run an errand in
the rain.

you might have time during the week to wash it and detail it again.
i don't. and i really dont like spending that kind of time over and
over again on a car that i like to motor in. my cars are for my motoring
pleasure on the weekends (i drive them hard), they are not show cars.

 

MiniMaybe-Look at it like this: Even though a CD of a song and an MP-3 file sound the same on a casual listen, the CD has much more in detail in it. Hydro is GREAT, but it's maker says it isn't a full on wax and that's good enough for me. They know what's in it and what it's supposed to do.

 

Yawn ...

Yup - my point exactly. Does that mean I will quit using Hydro? No way, it really helps keep the MINI looking great. Does that mean I will quick using Epic? No way it really helps keep my MINI looking great.
Only in the Detailing forum will people argue over the level of perfection!

 

Looks like minimaybee is out of gas.

I've got more arguments if you want to come back later, buster! Hahaha jk

I'm going to do my G's oil change now. Mobil1.

 

Well said. I often worry that people new to the Detailing forum will come to a Hydro thread & get the impression that Hydro is the only product they need ever apply which IMHO is not true

even though ken is so addicted that heather should rename it Hydrocrack

 

LOL yaa yaa

G's got fresh oil now. gonna go out motoring.

 

Thanks all for your replies!!!!
Man, the detailing forum is a passionate place!!

Have a great weekend!

 

wait...wat was your question again?

 

OCD and ADD. Heckuva group.

 

I disagree. I feel my car is just as protected using Hydro after ever wash then doing a full wax job. The only difference is Hydro doesn't have lasting power.

With Hydro my car beads waters just as well as a wax.

Just my opinion and I have no expertise in this field.

 

Fine for you then but beading isn't everything I think my MINI is more protected against the elements & wash induced swirlmarks by my 3 coats of Klasse & 1 coat of carnauba (or Hydro could be substituted for the carnauba) than it would be by one stand alone spray-on coat of Hydro. Why don't you park your MINI in the full sun for 5 years & use nothing but Hydro on it & then report back to us

 

With a regular weekly app I don't think you will see any difference between Hydro and regular wax; other than one loosing weight for the extra work. lol

 

Then throw all your products out & start using Hydro only on both your garaged drivers & daily drivers

 

No way My car is garaged at home and at work so it only sees the sun when driving. I am sure there is no substitute for the high end wax.

Mine is a daily driver and I commute 100 miles a day so using the Hydro is quick and easy and the end results are amazing. When you work 60+ hr a week plus commute another 10 sometimes the quick use of Hydro is my only choice. :(

My car is a 2002 and the paint looks pretty damn good but Bamatt is right better safe then sorry.

 

Oh come on be the test monkey

I think Hydro is fine as long as 2 times a year you give her a good waxing with some good wax products.


F.Y.I... sorry but Mr ken taint gonna like this... but a month ago... I had my first & failed attempt at using the PC to remove my swirlmarks I decided I was going to Klasse, Klasse, Klasse, & then Hydro just to see how I liked it as a topcoat in comparison to my carnauba. The Hydro was very shiney but I could still see plenty-o swirl marks. I slapped a coat of carnauba over it & the swirls were greatly reduced so I have concluded that carnauba is better at hiding swirlmarks than Hydro

 

My car had a ton of swirl marks on the roof (Black shows everthing) but since I have been using Hydro I can't see them any even in full light. It is one of the main reason I love Hydo is because my roof looks so much better.

I dont have a PC but plan on getting one in the near future. What is Klasse?

 

Meet the twins

Klasse All in One (aka... AIO) is a cleaner wax product. Klasse Sealant Glaze (aka... SG) is a high gloss acrylic sealant glaze that can be layered for maximum effect. The AIO wipes on & off easily & doesn't mar your black bits. The SG is a b!tch to wipe of but man-o-man I get the feeling that it's protection is rock solid. Klasse is good stuff. They sell it at Detailer's Paradise also

 

Bamatt- it wouldn't be fun then would it, if I only had Hydro. I'm a guy that kinda likes to have a lot of toys to play with and try out (while I have time).

But going back to topic, I was referring to the protective durability, not the visual appearance. Carnauba and polymers look different; this is why I have both. Epic and Hydro have a very similar appearance, thus why I don't want to spend the extra time waxing since I can get the very similar results using Hydro.

If you want a shiny carnauba, try some Griot's SprayOn wax. That stuff is super slick and has a super shine.

If you want a shiny polymer, go over the entire car with Slick after the 24hr cure of Hydro/Epic.

 

ken you don't even know what the OP's topic was

Plus I don't needa any carnauba as I am in luv with my P21S

 

Okay, based on what was said here, I ordered Hydro, thinking it would be quick and easy. The directions say "It helps to gently work the product into the paint as you dry each area." Sounds like waxing to me. Elsewhere, it says can be applied dry, but offers no instructions for the same. So, what's the story? Will I be "gently" working for 2 hours or more? Have you applied it dry and if, so, what do you do? I hope I didn't buy another "miracle" that will sit in my shed unused.

 

No fear. It is NOT like traditional waxing - not even close.

For "wax as you dry" usage (recommended), just spritz a LITTLE bit on each wet panel before you dry with a waffle weave towel or similar. Dry as you normally would (or at least as I normally do - gently wiping the panel with the towel until dry). This spreads the product while drying the panel. If you are one of the folks who just lays the towel against the paint and holds it still waiting for it to absorb the water, then this obviously doesn't spread the Hydro - that's why they include the "gently work it in" note. It only takes a spritz or two per panel - if you apply too much then you'll end up having to buff a bit more. But you learn quickly how much to apply to avoid this. If you think you're using too little - you're probably using the right amount.

For dry use, you use it like a quick detailer. Just spray on and gently wipe/buff off with at soft microfiber towel. But keep in mind that Hydro doesn't have as much lifting and lubricity as a "real" QD like Slick - so it should be used on a clean, dust-free car just as a "shine booster".

I highly recommend it "wet". I use it EVERY time I wash Blimey with great results. I haven't had time to Epic in about 5 months... but Blimey still looks great!

 

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a shot.

 

think of "working into the paint" for hydro as meaning 'speading hydro evenly to the entire panel with your towel'

 

Sorry all that I've been off NAM lately... I would've jumped in much earlier on this had I known it was going on so I could've helped clarify.

Re: Hydro as a true wax or replacement wax
While it is true that Hydro is less durable than Epic, it does share some of the Epic "wax" and thus can be used as a stand alone wax in certain situations.

Now hold on! I know some of you are jumping up and down saying that I've said previously that it cannot. It proves that I need to be more specific to individual situations when I answer questions. The answer really varies depending on various factors. In other words, it's all a matter of application preference, environment/season, and to some degree, just simple personal preference.
Let me expand on that. First, some basics:

• Hydro is a spray wax, which also contains a small amount of mild cleaners (which is why it can, to some degree, be used in place of a Quick Detail spray). It also has some very effective fillers/concealers to help aid minor paint imperfections. *It is concentrated to the point that it can be applied to a wet car, as it assumes a degree of mixing with water to achieve the "right" level of dilution. It can also be used on a dry surface, in which case you just use less than you would on a wet surface. It's more durable than any other spray style wax we know of; durable in terms of longevity and in terms of protective strength. Even so, it is not as durable (in both ways) as Epic.
• Epic is a durable, "true" synthetic wax. It's durability is longer and stronger than Hydro. It will hold up against the harshest elements.
• Hydro can extend and strengthen Epic when used on top, regularly or from time to time.

Sooo, my recommendation is this...

Use Epic (or any other durable synthetic wax) as your base wax and Hydro only as a topper:
-If you prefer to have the peace of mind that you are protected to the max and beyond, regardless of season or weather conditions where you live, and/or
-If you are currently approaching or are in the middle of a harsh weather season (ie, snowy winters!).

Use Hydro alone (without a base "true" wax):
-If you are willing and able to reapply at least once per month (wet or dry) AND you are either in the middle of a mild weather season and/or you live in an area of the country in which there is no harsh winter.

In summary, Hydro is certainly good as a stand alone wax if it's reapplied frequently and is not being subjected to very harsh environmental elements. Otherwise, it's best use use a base wax like Epic first.

It's also just a matter of preference... some just would rather have near overkill, if anything, in the level of protection on their paint instead of wondering if they're applying frequently enough and trying to assess the current harshness of their environment.

Does that make sense or did I just confuse everyone even more?? I hope that helps, but if not please fire away with more questions!

-Heather

 

That's me especially since my MINI is ungaraged